Match Preview: T2 Host The Originals

Well, T2 were undone by S2 again. Allowing S2 to claim sole possession of 1st place. Up next, the team they were tied for first with, LA Galaxy II. T2 and Los Dos haven't faced each other yet so this could be a breath of fresh air. The original MLS owned and operated USL team, Los Dos, come to Portland for the first time.

Portland Timbers 2

T2 (7-10-2, 23 pts) sort of strangely put out a lineup with a number of changes to it during their road trip to Seattle. Perhaps it was rotational or perhaps the focus was on the home match tomorrow tonight versus Los Dos. Either way, T2 allowed 2 goals and an S2 victory on Friday night, giving their rivals a complete sweep of the T2/S2 season series.

After two impressive victories and scoring 8 goals in the two matches, there was some confidence going into the match last night that a result could be had. Unfortunately a sloppy first half undid any chance of that. At least no one got injured or sent off, so T2 should be prepared and fully stocked against Los Dos tomorrow night. It is quite the short turnaround having played in Tukwila last night and now back home tomorrow night.

Gleeson was not with T2 last night, and is likely to be spotted in the 18 in Dallas with the Timbers this evening. Manning played 90 mins against Newcastle but did not see any time against S2. So I would expect to see him tomorrow night against LA II. In addition, Kharlton Belmar did not start but was subbed on at the half. I would say it is likely we see him return up top to start. There will definitely be rotation in the Starting XI given the quick turnaround. The only thing I could say with any certainty is that Luthy will likely start in goal again if Gleeson is in fact with the Timbers in Dallas. Hopefully T2 can shake off the 5th loss to their rivals and focus on getting all 3 points at home against a very strong LA Galaxy II side.

LA Galaxy II

Los Dos (10-5-3, 33 pts) have themselves a bit of an unbeaten run going on right now. The last time they lost was away to S2 on June 11th. Since then they've gone on to win 4 and draw 2 in their last 6 matches. Including road wins against Whitecaps 2 (2-0 victory), Tulsa Roughnecks (4-2 victory), and Sacramento Republic (4-0 victory).

Their most recent result was a 1-1 home draw against Orange County Blues on Thursday July 16th. Perhaps with 10 days of rest compared to T2's one day of rest, Los Dos will be a bit rusty. But their road record is nearly identical to T2's home record. LA II have gone 5-2-0 on the road with T2 currently at 5-3-0 at home. In addition, LA II have put 14 goals away from home and they lead the USL in assists (27) through 18 games played. Raul Mendiola is the USL assist leader with 8.

Tomorrow night will be the first meeting between these two clubs with T2 traveling to LA to face Los Dos on the return trip in their final regular season matchup on September 16th.

Match Information

Watch it: Streamed live on Timbers2.com and embedded in our T2 match thread

Kickoff: Sunday, July 26th 7:00pm pacific, at Merlo Field in Portland, OR

Portland Timbers 2: 7-10-2, 23pts, 8th place in the USL Western Conference

LA Galaxy II: 10-5-3, 33pts, 2nd place in the USL Western Conference